Granite City Overpass

The Granite City Overpass is making great progress. I am currently not sure of the timeline for the project but it is moving along swiftly. It was halted for a while.



This is an older picture, but I will have a new one up soon.

It has taken quite a while, but when finished this should definitely increase property value on the other side of the tracks and will definitely make travel a little easier.

Just get it finished, please!

In Madison County and Illinois Government

I heard a recent comment about Illinois Government and then it was likened the Madison County Government as well.
So things had been going pretty sweet for a while politically besides everyone hating Bush. It can always be made to look like there is great struggles and decision making going on in these forums, but there are a lot of times where not much is being done. Granted this is some peoples opinions and not everyone's, I just thought it was funny.
What they thought of was that the perfect song for our current government is Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus.

So here it is folks, put to it what you will, but what was being said was funny and I had to put this up here:

Metro East Young Democrats

Madison County has a new representative group for their Democratic Party.
The Metro East Young Democrats will be the work behind the campaigns, community service and events.

The group is always looking to build to their team of motivated Democrats who are ready to make a difference.

Save Illinois Map Grants

Funding has been cut for the 2010 Spring semesters MAP Grants in Illinois.

This is a huge hit to our states students and funding must be reinstated.

You can check out the support site for getting these MAP Grants back in place here at: www.SaveIllinoisMAPgrants.org

Their mission states:
"The mission of Save Illinois MAP Grants is to rally public support and urge students and parents to take immediate action to spur state lawmakers to restore full-year awards made under the Monetary Award Program (MAP) for the 2009-10 academic year and to preserve and expand future funding for MAP."

This is an integral piece of funding that assists a staggering number of students afford attending college every year.

Thank You!

John Bracamontes

Re-Election Ideas

Re-Election Ideas for Madison County

As far as votes and participation go our State Legislators out of Madison County have represented the people. So I would say give them all another term.
Some of our other legislators in the state you could say are performing at a sub-par level.

We also need to have a strong Democratic Candidate run against John Shimkus, because this guy is nothing but trouble for our State and Country. Check out this wild post where people are really speaking out against Shimkus: http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/1854028/replies?c=9

February Primary - Politics and You

The 2010 Election Cycle has begun.

There are many candidates up for election and re-election. Many politicians are fighting for the same seat and many have different ideas and platforms.

But through all of this craziness I implore you to take interest in the leaders looking to represent you and explore what they are all about.
What are they really looking to do and how will they do it?

Make an effort to read the paper and online articles, send them a letter, call them on the phone. Get all the facts and make a decision.

Then please one of the most important things to remember is to go vote!

Illinois Takes on a Temporary Budget

So Governor Quinn approved a temporary budget that was proposed.

This budget is based on more borrowing and does not include the massive cuts to government programs or any tax hikes according to previous proposals. But later this year the budget will be revisited and more choices will have to be made on cuts and taxes.

As far as tax hikes go, word is that due to the need for more votes to pass a tax increase it will not happen until January when only a majority is needed. This is seen as a strategy for incumbents who if raised taxes now or later this year would get pummeled by the media and voters would be angry. But if done in January then the primary is right around the corner and has less of an impact.

Governor Quinn Signs a Capital Bill

This $31 billion bill is expected to create thousands of jobs and help rebuild the State’s crumbling infrastructure.

Approximately $200 Million is going to Southwestern Illinois Road and Bridge Projects.



Quinn is putting off his tax increase request, but is definitely a maneuver.

Quinn is hurting himself as he tries to push off negative attention to the House Members and the House Members are also hurting themselves as they try to push off negative attention at Governor Quinn. It really is a lose lose currently and these guys need to step up and figure out something that will work.

People are not going to be very happy when an unbalanced budget last throughout the remainder of the year and continues to threaten and harm vital programs. And leads to more jobs cuts in certain industries.

Still No Budget for Illinois

The House was unable to present the Governor with an acceptable budget proposal and has now extended this even longer. Bad show GA.

Understandably both sides have their worries and wants, but it is about the people now. We're facing possible tax increases, cuts to funding for vital programs, capital projects suffering and schools are struggling all over Illinois. We need to get a resolution through NOW!

Quinn is throwing his power around and Madigan is throwing his around, Everyone is afraid of ticking off a fellow legislator or their constituents and it is not only making Illinois look bad, but is making it worse for the citizens.

It may mean a temporary tax increase, it may mean cuts to some programs, it may mean a look into government waste. It's should not be about party right now, but strictly for the benefit of the people.

We need real leadership and legislators who will stand up for what is right and get things done!

Madigan Speaking his side:


Quinn Speaking his side:

The Granite City Steel Mill Set to Re-Open

Granite City Steel Mill Set to Re-Open

100 maintenance workers will return to U.S. Steel's Granite City steel mill this week to prepare for the plant to restart production.

Jeff Evans stated that as many as 600 steel workers who work in the plant's blast furnace could be back in three to four weeks.

"I was told others would return soon, but they didn't give me a time frame," Evans said.

He has also heard that workers could be converting hot liquid steel strip into slabs in four weeks.

"It take a couple weeks to warm up the blast furnace," he said. "If they don't warm them up, that could cause damage."

U.S. Steel Corp. announced Monday that the Pittsburgh-based company plans to recall about 800 laid-off workers at a plant in Canada this summer. The Hamilton, Ontario, plant will restart production at its coke ovens to produce coke that will be shipped to Granite City Works.

The Canadian mill employed about 1,700 people when it was idled in October. About 700 workers elected to retire early. and more than 800 were laid off in waves starting in November.

Dowling said the reopening of the Granite City Steel mill represents a "glimmer of hope," though "we don't know how prolonged this increase will be. We're certainly hopeful that it's a sign of a more general recovery in manufacturing."

Let's hope this thing gets up and going so that our community can get back to business as usual.

Dick Durbin and Cash for Clunkers

Dick Durbin and Cash for Clunkers

Dick Durbin visited Granite City today and talked about a co-sponsored bill that the state is currently moving on.
The proposition in a nutshell is, consumers will receive vouchers from the federal government to help purchase new, more fuel-efficient cards and older cars that damage the environment will be taken off the roads if legislation to establish the "Cash for Clunkers" program is approved by Congress.

A quote from Senator Durbin: "At a time when the future of the auto industry is uncertain and sales are lagging, a program that will bring people back into dealerships and stimulate auto sales is badly needed. The Cash for Clunkers program will not only give consumers an incentive to buy new cars, but will also encourage them to choose more fuel-efficient vehicles. Both our economy and the environment will benefit in the long run from taking these older, inefficient cars off the road."

The "Cash for Clunkers" measure, also know as the Drive America Forward Act provides up to a $4500 voucher to purchase or take a qualified lease on a new, more fuel-efficient car or truck for trading in an older vehicle to be scrapped. Consumers receive a $3500 voucher if the new car is at least 4 miles per gallon higher than the old car. The value of the voucher climbs to $4500 if the new car is 10 mpg higher. Different fuel economy requirements are used for eligible new SUVs and trucks.

New passenger cars must have a fuel economy of at least 22 mpg and have a retail price less than $45,000. Trade-in vehicles must have a fuel economy less than 18 mpg, except for work trucks, be in drivable condition and have been insured and registered to the same owner for a year.

Poverty in Illinois on the Rise

Here is a piece from the Heartland Alliance and their studies show that poverty is way up in Illinois.




Click here to view the information on the 111th District.

Casino and City Troubles

Here in the Metro East the Casino's contribute alot to the community. The Casino Queen's revenues account for 40 percent of East St. Louis' operating budget and Argosy Casino contributes a huge amount to the city of Alton.
The Casino Queen is bringing in apprx. 13.5 million per month which is 3.5 million less than in 2007 and the Alton Belle's adjusted gross receipts dropped from $11.9 million in 2007 to $7.7 million in 2009. This is a big problem for the cities that rely on this revenue.

Major factors which can be attributed to these losses are:

• The recession that has gripped the nation since last year.

• The statewide smoking ban that went into effect at the beginning of last year has forced smokers to light up outside the casino. When they're outside smoking, they're not inside gambling.
  

• Repeal of the loss limit law in Missouri.

• The opening last year of Lumiere Place directly across the river from the Casino Queen.

East St. Louis is having to cut 16 city employees and turn a full time position into a part time one.

What can be done? Personally I think if Illinois were to repeal its take on Poker in the Casinos that would help bring in new revenue. Also maybe Obama could give a few more speeches on hope on positivity maybe people will be inclined to have some fun and hit these establishments.

- John Bracamontes

City Recycling and Revenue

I really feel that we could bring in some additional revenue and act in an environmentally friendly way if the cities within Madison County would simply recycle their waste.
We have tons of city vehicles that need to be maintained routinely and daily. The old oil from these vehicle can be sold to companies that recycle it and use it to create biodiesel fuel, which is definitely environmentally friendly. It can also be used in other applications other than biodiesel.
Other companies recycle cooking oil and create biodiesel fuels as well.

This would create a revenue stream from something that we actually pay to get rid of otherwise.
Simple enough.


- John Bracamontes

2009 Election Results for Madison County

Alright everyone the votes are in and you can view the results for your City, Township or Village here at http://app1.co.madison.il.us/CountyClerk/Election/General040709/Search/ElectionSearch.cfm

Many close races and some very interesting results.

Roxana even voted in a 19 year old School Board Memeber.

- John Bracamontes

Alton School District and the State

In a recent presentation by the Alton School Superintendent David Elson, there is news that the State is delinquent on paying apprx. 2.7 Million Dollars to the Education Fund.
This is forcing a reduction in almost 3 million dollarrs in cost cutting initiatives by the school district. These include termination of positions, shortening of work days and cutting weeks off of the years work for some employeees. Other actions include re-allocating funds and moving eligible salaries to a Liability Fund.
You can read a good report of this at: TheTelegraph

- John Bracamontes

Tax reform in Madison County

You currently have members in Edwardsville putting together a committee to push a proposed idea of tax reform up to Springfield. This proposition calls for "a sales tax for education and a simpler property tax bill".
Now they are ready to "Storm Springfield"!
It's great that we have groups being so aggressive with new ideas and wanting to push it up the chain, but during these talks there have been no mention of utilizing their Representatives to assist in this pressure.

We needs groups pushing issues in all of our districts and really trying to make a stand and I believe that we should be using our Representative assets to assist in getting these propositions heard and really looked at. It seems that our current reps are really just meandering around the same ideas and issues that they always have which is great, but they need to be pushing new ideas and getting feedback from their constituents on the current issues really hitting people hard.
Where is the innovation?

- John Bracamontes

More Layoffs on the Horizon in Granite City

It has been announced that more layoffs within the steel industry are coming quick.
Hundreds of workers that were left maintaining ovens at U.S. Steel and handfuls of other from the neighboring plants.
The city talks about the growth that is happening now, and don't get me wrong good development is happening in the city with a new Theater, Youth Center and A Lowes being built on Route 3 next to Wal-Mart but we really need to find a way to make the area more attractive for other businesses.
A story aired recently about a company who had placed a call center in North Dakota, but had to shut down because of their growth outweighing the availability of prospective employees. They did not even receive enough applicants to fill the positions that needed to be filled. Bring these opportunities to the Metro-East!
Google is another big job producer with customer service centers in different parts of the country. These would be very much appreciated opportunities here in Madison County. Not only would it provide good paying jobs to the people, but spark economic growth, support our local businesses and increase home buying activity.

- John Bracamontes

The 50% Tax increase for Illinois

In regards to the 50% income tax increase for Illinois, it's hard to dispute the fact that this is seemingly necessary to assist in shrinking the state deficit of 11 billion dollars.
I would have to say that a tax increase like this most likely will not sit well with the people.
Are there no other areas that we could use for revenue generation? Or instead of such a large tax increase, making it smaller and not increasing exemptions as much. I understand the money also needs to come fairly fast.

Governor Quinn is definitely taking a great risk here, but showing great strength in his decision at such a critical time in his new position. Election time if approaching fast and decisions such as these could make or break his campaign especially when it is rumored that Attorney General Lisa Madigan may run for Governor in 2010.

- John Bracamontes